Connecter for terminal wires



A ril 8, 1930. J. DILLON 1,753,777

CONNECTER FOR TERMINAL WIRES Filed July 28, 1927 7 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 8, 1930 JAMES DILLON, OF MOUNTVEBNON, NEW YORK GONNECTER FOR TERMINAL WTRES Application filed July 28, 1927; Serial No. 209,065.

This invention relates to improvements in connecters for terminal wires, and has for its object to provide a device which may be easily and quickly attached or detached from the thumb nut of post electrodes of spark plugs and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is simple in construction, economical and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is adapted to engage the thumb nut of the spark plug to prevent unintentional displacement in any direction.

Another object is to provide certain improvements in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts whereby the above named and other objects may be effectively attained.

A practical embodiment of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 represents a plan View of my improved connecter applied to the thumb nut of a post. electrode of a spark plug.

Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the same showing the upper portion of a spark lug. p Fig. 3 represents a side elevation of the same.

Fig. 4: represents a rear elevation of the same.

Fig. 5 represents a vertical sect-ion taken in the plane of the line VV, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 represents a blank of sheet metal into which my improved connecter is developed.

The upper portion of the spark plug, shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, comprises the insulator denoted by 1, the screw-threaded post electrode by 2, the lock nut by 3 threaded on the post electrode 2 and the thumb nut 1, also having a threaded engagement with the post electrode 2.

The connecter is developed from a blank 5 of sheet metal, such as springbrass or other similar material, shown in Fig. 6, and comprises an elongated rectangular body 6 and a rectangular head 7, which body portion and head are connected by a neck 8. The ends of the elongated bodyportion 6 are developed into oppositely disposed jaws 9 which are bent substantially at right angles to the body portion. Each of the jaws 9 is curved outwardly at 10 and provided with a series of vertically arranged corrugations 11, interposed betweenthe curved ends and the body, which corrugations are arranged to embrace the thumb nut and hold? the jaws securely thereon. The lower edge of each of the jaws Qis-turned inwardly at 12, which edges are arranged tov engage upon opposite sidesfofthe'bottom of the thumb nut 4 to prevent any unintentional displacement of thejaws from the nut by, an upwardmovement. 1 x i The head 7 is developed into a tubular member 14 which is bent att-he neck 8 so as to be disposed ina horizontal plane overlying the jaws 9, as clearly shownin Figs. 1 and 3. Y

The tubular member 14 is provided with a longitudinal slot 15 so that theends of the member may be bent to embrace the exterior surface of an insulated terminal wire 16 and-also to accommodate wires of dif ferent diameters. To form anelectrical contact with the connecter, the Wire proper is turned rearwardly on the insulation and the member arranged to engage the insulation so that it will pinch the Wire therebetween.

QBy disposing the member 14 over the jaws 9, theterminal Wire will be led over the top of thefspark plug, the position of which materially facilitates the means of attaching anddetaching the connecter to the thumb nut of the spark plug.

Furthermore, the structure is extremely rigid and com act and not liable to be readily bentout o shape.

It is also to be pointed out that the position of the member 14; with respect to the spring jaws 9 tends to relieve the terminal wire from undue strain while removing the connect-er from the thumb nut, since the action of removing the connecter should the terminal wire be manipulated, would be to push the wire in the member 14:.

While I have described my invention as a connecter for thumb nuts of the post electrodes of spark plugs, I wish it understood that the connecter is equally well adapted for use in connection with thumb nuts oi batteries or other electrical apparatus.

It will be understood that various changes may be resorted to in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; and hence, I do not intend to be limited to the details herein shown and described except as they may be included in the claims.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a spark plug having a thumb nut, of a connecter for terminal wires comprising, a. body portion developed into oppositely disposed spring actuated jaws arranged to embrace the opposite sides of the thumb nut, each of said jaws having an inturned portion arranged to project under the thumb nut to prevent unintentional lateral displacement, and a wire holding member formed integral with said body portion and positioned to over-hang the thumb nut.

2. The combination with a spark plug having a thumb nut, of a connecter for terminal wires comprising, a body portion developed into oppositely disposed spring actuated jaws arranged to embrace the opposite sides of the thumb nut, each of said jaws having an inturned bottom edge arranged to project under the thumb nut to prevent unintentional lateral displacement, and a wire holding member formed integral with said body portion and positioned to over-hang the thumb nut.

3. The combination with a spark plug having a thumb nut, of a connecter for terminal wires comprising, a body portion developed into oppositely disposed spring actuated jaws arranged to embrace the opposite sides of the thumb nut, each of said jaws having a series of vertical corrugations disposed to engage the side of the thumb nut and an inturned portion arranged to project under the thumb nut to prevent unintentional lateral displacement, and a wire holding member formed integral with said body portion and positioned to over-hang the thumb nut.

4. The combination with a spark plug having a thumb nut, of a connecter for terminal wires comprising, a body portion developed into oppositely disposed spring actuated jaws arranged to embrace the opposite sides 

